This past summer, the Gresham Redevelopment Commission approved Plaza del Sol ? a series of new spaces for neighborhood gathering and recreation – at the former Fred Meyer site in the Rockwood neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. Partnering with area businesses and community members, students from Portland Lutheran School (740 SE 182nd) served as part of the team who pioneered this project on September 18th. Students painted a colorful solar system mural, picked up trash, and chatted with other neighborhood volunteers. Their participation in this project is part of the school?s goal to help students ?transform their world,? and all high school students are required to participate in a minimum of 20 hours of community service each year to show their commitment to this mission.

Plaza del Sol was just the first of several planned steps to reinvent the Rockwood neighborhood, and is a joint program of the Gresham Redevelopment Commission and the Urban Renewal Task Force. Five years ago, the City of Gresham bought the old Fred Meyer building, razed it, and began a planning process to turn it into a vibrant urban center, not unlike the Pearl District. When the economy began its free-fall, those plans were put on hold – actually cancelled. Since then the property has been sitting vacant, adding to the blight in the area. Constituents of Rockwood decided that something needed to be done with the space – even if it is temporary. Plaza del Sol was born from this discussion. The painting that PLS students contributed was part of the first step of creating a positive gathering spot for the community. Plaza del Sol will eventually include a walking trail, wild flower meadow, basketball courts and a food cart area.